The last time Erik Bedard took the mound, the left-hander lasted all of eight pitches before departing with back spasms. That was seven days ago, against the Nationals, who then proceeded to score two runs in eight innings against five Pirates relievers.

Bedard is back on the mound tonight for the first time since that incident, facing the same Nationals lineup, which can only hope to enjoy more success against the lefty … or whatever relievers end up in the game for Pittsburgh. Davey Johnson is going with a bunch of right-handed hitters, including Tyler Moore and Xavier Nady.

Gio Gonzalez, meanwhile, starts for the Nats, looking to bounce back from a shaky outing in Cincinnati on Friday. Gonzalez was dealing with a sore right hand that evening, the lingering effects of his awkward slide into third base his previous time out.

I don't think Tyler Moore has ever played right field …Nady isn't too bad in right field. Mayhap Grandstander was thinking of the right handed pull hitters hitting lots of chances to left field against the left-handed Gonzalez? I think its kind of hard to hide and that side of the field will be vulnerable with newbie outfielders Moore and Harper.

I think its kind of hard to hide and that side of the field will be vulnerable with newbie outfielders Moore and Harper. OTOH, they are not likely to stand there looking at each other as a popup falls 15 feet in front of both of them. So there's that.

An "oops" from Peric — call the National Archives.All of Harper's adventures in the OF — left, center, right — gotta have Davey reaching for the TUMS, or valium, or both.I do think he can play CF, eventually, but right now it's difficult to watch at times.

It is time for Ryan Zimmerman to step up and start earning his $100 million contract. His power and clutch hitting have totally disappeared and he's probably hit into more rally killing double plays than any player in the NL.

Tyler Moore with a rare start. Once they go to the bullpen, I am sure Bernadina and Ankiel will enter the game.No Lombo, again. Can't Danny get a day of rest even if you think one of the worst slumps is over?

Mark — probably no word on how both of Gio's hands are doing, so as not to tip off the Bucs to anything before it happens.Guess we'll see by how much of his curve is there, and whether he swings away or just tries to bunt.

No Lombo, again. Can't Danny get a day of rest even if you think one of the worst slumps is over? Seems like Lombo started more games in the infield than Chad Tracy or Mark DeRosa. He's already been in a lot? Thanks to the injuries he was playing a lot. Now with LaRoche and Zimmerman back its tapered off some.

do1teach1 said…Kind of a re-post question for any SABR experts out there:Does Ryan Zimmerman get in more 1-2 counts than any everyday player in baseball?not ignoring you, but have no idea how to compare it to other players, except one-by-one.Here are the guys on not Nats with the most plate appearances:(times reached a 1-2 count; plate appearances)Zimmerman 30 of 104, 29%Espinosa: 46 of 147, 31%LaRoche 31 of 126, 25%Desmond 42 of 166, 25%Werth 35 of 113, 31%Ramos 30 of 96, 31% Amongst those guys, RZ seems average, no?

I don't like pushing Harper all over the place in the outfield. He's 19 and struggling in the outfield. If he's the future centerfielder, fine put him there and let Ankiel switch back and forth in right or left. If he's the placeholder for Werth, OK put him there an leave him there. I just don't think it does anyone any good to play a different position every night.

DC Wonk — re: two-strike counts, one way of looking at it is that Zimmerman, among the group is average. Another way would be that all of them take a lot of pitches. I think Johnson, in a rare moment of candor a few days ago, suggested he thinks they are — all of them — taking too many pitches. (If he didn't say it out loud, I guess I imagined it. But he should have said it loudly behind closed doors.)

If he's the future centerfielder, fine put him there and let Ankiel switch back and forth in right or left. Perhaps not. Corey Brown is on fire in Syracuse. Already has 7 home runs to lead the team along with Tyler Moore. And he is being groomed to bat lead off. The competition continues for outfield spots. LaRoche may get to stay at first base until Skole is ready because both bat left-handed. Then there's Tyler Moore and Chris Marerro. Bernadina is still in the mix. Best to just let it play out and see where everyone lands.

Wilson Ramos back at Nats Park today. Won't have surgery for 2-3 weeks. Says no chance of returning this year_________________________Tough to read those words. His offensive numbers were near the top of the team for OBP and OPS and much better than Ryan Zimmerman. Hoping that JFlores and come close to those numbers or exceed them. That .354 OBP will be hard to get to. Wilson had also just found his power stroke and walk-off stroke. He had a HR on the day he was injured and another HR 4 days before that.

I did watch some of the O's game last night. I hate to admit it, we have a tough series coming up. Regardless of what happens, ol Mick aka Francis will be very happy this weekend watching my baby girl graduate college up in the Bronx. She is a sweetheart with one flaw…. her freaking boy friend and family are die hard Mets fans and obnoxious about it!

Zimmerman's wOBA is about .320. That's below average the average mean about .340. His pRAA is at the median mark at 0.0. Long at bats are nice to tire a pitcher but nothing works better than getting big hits, getting on base and putting pressure on the pitcher while creating one huge distraction.The only better way is by scoring runs. Some pitchers are able to settle down after allowing runs … but most seem to find a way to get deeper into trouble as the pressure increases.Batting Zimmerman third is definitely hurting the Nats offensively at this stage. He typically breaks out in big way … hopefully that occurs around the end of May through a very tough June.

Zimmerman's wOBA is about .320. That's below average the average mean about .340. His pRAA is at the median mark at 0.0. Long at bats are nice to tire a pitcher but nothing works better than getting big hits, getting on base and putting pressure on the pitcher while creating one huge distraction.The only better way is by scoring runs. Some pitchers are able to settle down after allowing runs … but most seem to find a way to get deeper into trouble as the pressure increases.Batting Zimmerman third is definitely hurting the Nats offensively at this stage. He typically breaks out in big way … hopefully that occurs around the end of May through a very tough June.

re: two-strike counts, one way of looking at it is that Zimmerman, among the group is average. Another way would be that all of them take a lot of pitches. I think Johnson, in a rare moment of candor a few days ago, suggested he thinks they are — all of them — taking too many pitches.Do they? I have no idea. I know that despite being 11th (of 14) in BA for the NL, the Nats are 7th in OBP, because of walks. They are 7th in walks this year (and 11th last year). I had assumed that was a good thing. But, perhaps Davey thinks we'd have more hits if they took less pitches? I dunno . . .

Getting on base is better than not getting on, but you can't hit pitches you don't swing at, and walks very seldom become lucky doubles, or move runners from first to third, and maybe induce throwing errors in the process, etc. Situational hitting–there are times when the risk of making outs doesn't outweigh the odds of doing better than drawing a walk (or bunting, but that's another post, probably).

To expand on my thought about about this outfield: [It's all about me, BTS] The lineup just doesn't read right or feel right. It looks like they're asking BH to essentially be the captain of the outfield. And he's 19. When I was 19 I couldn't find my butt with both hands.Someone above commented on RZ's offense. If I'm not careful, Cal Ripken's late career performance at the plate comes to mind. I sure hope RZ doesn't descent to that.

Gonat said… What is up with Gio? He threw one lousy curveball the entire 1st inning and that was the one McCutcheon smashed between the 5/6 hole. May 16, 2012 7:13 PM ___________________________Glad FP takes notice. After the 1st 2 batters in the 2nd inning

Man, The Kid is fun to watch.I've been making the case of late that moving Ian down in the order would get better on-base percentage at the top and give Desmond more chances to knock in runs.Guess who leads the Nats in extra-base hits. It's Desmond with 16, followed by LaRoche with 15.With tonight's triple Harper already has 9 extra-base hits, tying Jayson Werth for third. How good is Harper already? He has his XBHs in 61 at bats, to 98 for Werth, 118 for LaRoche and 160 for Desmond.

NatsJack, the tilt on the curve to McCutcheon was too flat. The one to Barmes was wicked. Even when they know his curve is coming, nobody can hit the wicked curve. Most take it hoping it doesn't fall in the zone.

phil duncan: If you assume all GIDPs are 'rally killing' and you're not trying to add some other elements to your definition, then you should be aware that Ryan Zimmerman has not grounded into more GIDPs "than any player in the NL." Mr. Zimmerman — with five GIDPs — ranks 6th (tied with nine other players). Among those with more are David Freese (8), Hanley Ramirez (6), and Ryan Roberts (6). Among those who also have five are Jose Reyes and Aramis Ramirez. Among those just one GIDP back (with four) are Matt Kemp, Andre Either, Troy Tulowitzki, David Wright, and Starlin Castro.

NatsJack in Florida said… Gonat… I'm saying Detwiler would have. May 16, 2012 8:40 PM ______________________I know you are but I know people tiptoe around Stras and he suffers from "frustration" runs also. Nobody as bad as Det though. I wouldn't be surprised if its not in the other team's scouting reports that once you rattle him you pour it on.

IMO this is a better line-up w/out Werth…I know his numbers looked good, but if you actually watch the games, he was not producing runs…and if you watch Pitch F/X, he was unable to hit fastballs down the middle..

For those that kept saying a healthy LaRoche would return to career norms, you are smart people. I think about 6 posters said that with regularity when others were calling for LaRoche to be traded for a bag of balls.

The best shot was of Bo Porter escorting Harper close to home, and then racing back to third wind-milling his arm the entire time to send Zim home.It is grand to see the progress of the team kicking into high gear. I think they are ready for the coming road trip.

NatsJack in Florida said… Gonat….his head pulled off the 3-0 fastball. If Eck can't get him to see the ball to the bat, Eck needs a new job. And thank you Adam! May 16, 2012 9:15 PM ______________________________A center cut fastball and missed it by a lot. Everything is away and at least Zim didn't chase. Take the walk and tomorrow is a new day.

Gonat…that's what I meant about "jumping". He's not staying on the ball and "seeing it" to the bat.When Zim's locked in, his head is looking right at ball striking the bat. And that isn't happening now.

So NJ, are you saying that you could tell from the way that Det acted when he talked to you in FL that he has something to learn? Wow. Sounds like GWB looking into Putin's eyes and seeing his soul. I don't think any of us would say that Det is comparable to Stras. But he's come a long way this year and I think you're dissing him unnecessarily, and too soon. He's not going to lead the league in ERA, but he's a very solid No. 4-5 already. And besides, he doesn't have to be as good as Stras to stay in the rotation, he just has to be better than Wang or EJ.

Section 222…. It wasn't from one conversation. It was from several. And I'm not condeming him. I'm pointing out a difference in attitude. And he's actually better today than he was earlier in his.Stras is younger and less experienced, yet acknowledges his deficiencies.

Its so wierd that we are all excited about a closer with a 3 run lead getting a Save against 3 of the worst batters in the Majors. You have Barajas that you can't throw inside heat to, Barmes in a deep slump and Harrison who you have to get reaching.Their batting averages sit at .188 .155 .222 The Nats have pitchers with higher batting averages.Would have been the perfect time to give Craig Stammen an easy one. Yes, happy Henry got it done but tomorrow is another day and more Maalox.

From Amanda:— Washington Nationals catcher Sandy Leon, who suffered a high right ankle sprain Monday night, four innings into his major league debut, is expected to miss about four weeks.Leon said the Nationals told him in two weeks he will be cleared to return to activity.